Any doubts of the Branson School volleyball team being the favorite in the MCAL this season were squelched, at least for now. The defending league-champion Bulls dispatched last year's runner-up Redwood in four games (25-15, 25-22, 23-25, 25-16) on Friday night in Ross.

Branson coach Michelle Brazil was quick to not let her team be overwhelmed by the hype and remember that it is, after all, only September.

"It's really easy to get caught up in the rivalry or whatever, but I told the team before the game that this is only one match in what is hopefully a long season," Brazil said. "One match is not going to define us. ... I'm definitely satisfied with the way we played and obviously I'm satisfied with the victory, Redwood's a good team. But it's just one game in a long season."

Nonetheless, Branson set the tone early with a 10-point win in Game 1. The turning point came in Game 2, when Redwood held a 22-17 advantage, but could not close the door. The Bulls (8-0, 4-0) stormed back to score the next eight points, with the help of their blocking by Sarah Wallace and Lauren Carson.

"It always starts with the defense, defense, in my opinion, is the most important thing in volleyball," said setter Gaby Steiner, who had 12 digs to go with her 44 assists. "Because the offense can't do their jobs unless we have a good defense."

Despite Branson taking a 2-0 lead in the match it was as if it woke up a ... well sleeping Giant. With their backs against the wall, Redwood (11-4, 3-1) gutted out Game 3, after a pivotal block by Hannah Gerson gave the Giants a 24-23 lead and served out the set. The Giants were led by Sophie DiGrazia (11 kills, 15 digs) and Sierra Dawson (20 assists).

"They did a great job playing together, we're just going to continue to get better and get back and try and beat 'em the next time," Redwood coach Katie Pease said. "Branson had great ball control, they ran a fast offense and they did a nice job."

It was the first game that Branson had dropped in the regular season and the Bulls did not take kindly to it. Wallace was the hot hand and Steiner kept teeing it up to tally eight of Wallace's 21 kills as the Bulls raced to a 25-16 win to clinch the match.

"Losing the third game was a wake-up call, we need to step this up, we need to work for it," Wallace said. "They're not going to give it to us, we have to fight to the end. We all knew that and we all knew that we were gonna beat them. They're a great team, but we had to really step it up."

Michelle Pereira had 11 kills, followed by Jordan Winters with nine and Grace Roberts-Burbank with eight for the Bulls. On defense Whitney Hansen had 22 digs and Cassie Chuljian had 10.